Almost a month into the season and the Cass boys basketball team is 1-8, and head coach Greg Scott said it is due to inexperience.

“We are more young and inexperienced, game wise, than any team I’ve ever had. We’re having to learn how to play the game and adjust on the fly when things do work,” said Scott.

Scott attributed the inexperience to the loss of his seniors through graduation each year.

Having a new set of seniors and some players new to varsity, Scott said has tried several different line-ups, the best of which he said came against Dalton on Dec. 11.

With the starting five changing every game, Scott does have a few players that are more consistent than the rest. The most consistent player is 6-foot, senior, post player Chris Darden. Kelin Wells, 5-foot-9, junior, point guard, is the team’s primary ball handler. Justin Reed, 6-foot-2, junior, forward, is also said to be a more consistent starter, but according to Scott, he is working in to basketball shape and recovering from football season. Lastly is Najae Jackson, 6-foot-4, senior, wing player, who Scott said is a returning starter but has gotten off to a slow start this season.

Along with the inexperience, Scott also said shooting has been a huge problem for the team.

“We have very inconsistent shooting. We’re taking shots but we’re not getting them to fall. It’s no certain person or spot, at this point it’s starting to become a confidence issue,” Scott said.

As the team prepared to face Heritage in their tenth scheduled game of the season —game three against Ridgeland was rescheduled for Jan. 26— Scott knew there were some aspects of the Heritage team he was aware of through watching film.

“I know they are good at playing man defense and they’re good in the post. I expect to see a well coached team based on film I’ve seen on them,” said Scott.

For the season, the Colonels have goals of winning their sub-region and having a chance to make it to the state tournament.

“We’ll need to shoot better, secure the ball more, limit our turnovers, work on communication on the court, and guard the ball. I believe we can do it, but it’s going to be a long season if we continue to struggle there,” said Scott.